2003 National Champions Louisiana Superdome • Jan. 4, 2004
Great
LSU, the No. 2 team in the Bowl Championship Series rankings, beat No. 1 BCS ranked Oklahoma in the Nokia Sugar Bowl to win the 2003 National Championship, the Tigers’ first title since 1958. Freshman RB Justin Vincent, named the game’s MVP after totaling 117 yards, scampered 64 yards on the first play of the game to set the tone as LSU never trailed, winning 21-14. The LSU defense, ranked No. 1 in the nation, stifled the Sooner’s top-ranked offense, holding Oklahoma to 154 yards and sacking Heisman winning QB Jason White five times.
MOMENTS
Cannon’s Halloween Run
1966 Cotton Bowl
Cotton Bowl - Jan. 1, 1966
Jones to Davis
Tiger Stadium - Oct. 31, 1959
Billy Cannon’s 89-yard punt return for a touchdown against third-ranked Ole Miss is not only one of the most memorable plays in LSU football history, but it also ranks among the most memorable in college football. Trailing 3-0 late in the game, Cannon, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner, fielded the punt at the Tiger 11-yard line and began his run into immortality. He eluded seven would-be tacklers down the east sideline and crossed the goal line of Tiger Stadium for the only touchdown of the game, giving the top-ranked LSU Tigers the 7-3 victory.
LSU entered the 1966 Cotton Bowl as a heavy underdog to the second-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks, but the Tigers knew they had nothing to lose and lot a of respect to gain. Arkansas, which entered the game riding a 22-game win streak and knew a victory over LSU meant a possible national title, struck first, but LSU’s Joe Labruzzo reached the endzone twice in the second quarter to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead that would stand and foil the Razorbacks’ hopes of a title.
In one of the most exciting endings to a game in LSU football history, QB Bert Jones connected with RB Brad Davis in the corner of the endzone as time expired and PK Rusty Jackson nailed the extra-point to give the Tigers a 17-16 victory over Ole Miss and keep an 11-game win streak alive.
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2009 LSU Football Media Guide
Tiger Stadium - Nov. 4, 1972